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What is Necessary

As some of you may know, I have a sick addiction to quotes. When I read a magazine, I watch for little snippets of wisdom to cut from the pages and store away in my quote box(es). When I read a book, I do so with pen in hand, ready to underline words of inspiration and challenge. I love, love, love quotes.

About a month ago, I was cleaning my desk (an ever-evolving project that I can’t seem to conquer) and I stumbled upon a St. Francis of Assisi quote that I don’t remember ever seeing before.

Start by doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

It has buried its roots deep within my heart, twisting through forgotten chambers and digging ever deeper, the question echoing, “what is necessary?”

What is necessary?

What is necessary?

What is necessary?

That is a good question. I haven’t the answer for my own life. Not yet, anyway. I will. I promise you, I will find the answer.

What is necessary in your own life? And how do you (hope to) see it becoming the possible, and eventually, the impossible? Please share! I long for the inspiration.

ETA: What is necessary is stepping outside tonight for a glimpse (or eyeful) of the Perseid Meteor Shower!

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3 thoughts on “What is Necessary”

What is necessary is that which brings to fruition those things which are needful. The needs we encounter in our lives are wide and varied; we need a job, we need to be more involved, we need love. Even wants are needs which have been given a certain priority based upon desire. Needs can be self-directed or come into existence through outside influence from others and events around us.

Recognizing that our needs are both our weakness and our strength, we have to instill determination and action into our daily lives to begin to do those things which are necessary in order to reach the goals of our needs.

In the end, I think we discover that our needs may change as our necessary actions come into play, which, in turn, can produce new needs and new necessities.

Above all, what is necessary is recognizing that we are fallible beings, subject to failure as well as success in equal measure, and that we each struggle to identify ourselves in our relationship with God and each other. Act upon that base of necessity and I think the path towards the impossible becomes a bit easier.

John, your wisdom astounds me. It is exactly what I needed to hear. But then…you know me pretty well, and you always *do* have something profound for me when I need it–whether that is wisdom and guidance, or music, or literature.

You wrote this:
“Needs can be self-directed or come into existence through outside influence from others and events around us.”

I am chewing on this part, still. Self-directed needs, I understand. And needs that come about by events/circumstances, I understand. But is it healthy for us to accept the influence or expectation of others in terms of our needs? I guess I am reading this as a negative experience; maybe it isn’t necessarily negative.